This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) and James Cook University have signed an agreement for the purchase of the site which is set to become the first stage of the new Cairns University Hospital.
The land, which sits on the corner of Charles and Digger Streets in Cairns North, is the latest move towards the delivery of the Cairns Health Innovation Centre (CHIC), which will form part of the new University Hospital.
“This is a key step forward to delivering even stronger healthcare for the Far North,” said Yvette D’Ath, minister for health and ambulance services.
The new CHIC will host some of the research, education and training services of the CHHHS, allowing the existing hospital to be expanded, adding extra beds and easing demand on the facility.
“The acquisition of the land for the Cairns Health and Innovation Centre will ensure Cairns HHS can continue to provide clinically excellent and sustainable health services for the region.”
Additionally, the development will generate local jobs through the construction phase, stimulating the region’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
“Significant planning has already occurred around the CHIC and it will feature an auditorium, modern lecture and teaching spaces, and computer labs for education functions,” said Michael Healy, member for Cairns.
The Department of Health is currently evaluating the new centre’s preliminary business case, to determine the specifications of the facilities, such as design and budget.
“Now that the contract has been signed to purchase the land, we can get on with the job of delivering this game-changing project for Cairns and the Far North,” said Healy.
Additionally, the CHIC will include meeting rooms, open-plan flexible collaboration spaces, offices for research and education staff, innovations spaces, specialised simulations labs and purpose-built spaces for clinical trials.
“We have an outstanding reputation for our clinical research on the world stage, so having more space to expand on what we are already doing, will help us attract more of this high calibre research,” said Tina Chinery, chief executive of CHHHS.
“This, in turn, will help us increase our advanced clinical services, infrastructure, expand our education and further our research.”
